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Big cities are crowded, competitive and challenging. In other
words, they are exactly where 20-somethings should live.

"When you're stacked up against your peers, you can really
measure yourself and see how you're doing," said Coltrane Curtis,
co-founder and managing partner of Team Epiphany, a
brand solutions agency in NYC. "The city serves as an excellent
yard stick."

2. Big cities put you in another gear

The minute you walk out the door each morning, you go. You blow
past the crowds to make the bus before the door closes,
scurry across an intersection to avoid a wave of oncoming traffic
and hustle in the office because, well, everyone else moves fast
too. That's called "grit."

The ability to work quickly will then follow you the rest of your
career.

3. You deal with massive egos

Where do "important" people work? At the top of skyscrapers in
big cities, that's where. As a 20-something, it can feel like
"The Devil Wears Prada" as you appease top executives and their
often arrogant demands.

One day, you'll look back and laugh. One day, you'll realize how
"that crazy boss" made you strong enough to handle anyone.

4. You say hello to the world

Big cities are full of opportunity so 20-somethings from
seemingly every country descend on them. Soon enough, you
befriend people from all walks of life (foreign and American),
broaden your worldview and begin to understand where you
fit in this giant spinning orb called Earth.

Plus, if you live in DC you'll eat Peruvian chicken. And life
will never be the same. Specifically this
place.

5. You learn to budget your money

If you need to make almost $30/hour for a one-bedroom apartment
in San Francisco, then money will be tight. A lot.

Plus, everything costs more in a metro area. Rent,
food, clothes. It's humbling to say, "Don't think I can go out
tonight. Need to save a little."

No, you can't pay the bills with a reality check, but it's worth
a hell of a lot.

6. You get knocked down

Some jerk at the office will tear you apart when you make a
mistake. Some crazy landlord will scream at you for loud music
(even though it wasn't). Some hotshot businessman will actually
knock you to the ground as he runs to catch the subway —
while on the phone — at 5:07 pm.

Good. I hope you pick up a few bumps and bruises. You'll heal and
be tougher for it.

9. Big cities make you live with less

In a big city, you learn to sacrifice. In exchange, you
receive the perks of a metropolis: a wealth of culture, food,
entertainment and the fervent energy that breathes life
into everything — even on a Wednesday at 3 am.

10. Never a dull moment

Always a cool concert. Always ahuge festival.
Always a new restaurant you HAVE TO try.

You're never bored in a big city or allowed to say "There's
nothing to do." That's reserved forpeople in the suburbs.

11. Big cities set you up for success

After time in the big city, no challenge is too daunting, no
person too demanding and no moment too intimidating.